Page 32 of The Billionaire Alpha's Assistant

It’s the reason I broke every rule in the book and why it kills me to think about ending things.

Alex’s voice yanks me out of my reverie, and suddenly, it’s like I’m seeing clearly for the very first time. “And what about you?” she asks quietly. “Do you have a mate?”

I drag in a breath and take a cautious step toward her. Alex backs up until her butt hits the door, and I spread my palms against the glass, effectively caging her in.

This close, I can count each dark lash framing those warm-brown eyes. I can feel her breath on my lips, and I long to capture that pouty lower lip between my teeth and bite.

“Yes,” I whisper, dropping my gaze to her chest and tracking a rogue water droplet as it slides between her breasts.

Alex lets out a huff of air, and I can scent her disappointment.

I flick my gaze up to meet her eyes, and I know there’s no point resisting. “You’re my mate, Alex. My fated mate. That’s why I’ve behaved so . . . irrationally. Ever since you walked into my office, I knew I had to have you.” I sigh. “My wolf, he . . . wants to claim you.”

Alex’s eyes grow so wide that, for a moment, I wonder if I’ve said too much. Learning I’m a shifter would be enough to take in, but to drop the mate bomb on her . . .

“Claim me?”

“Yes.” I grimace. “Shifters, we . . . we claim our mates with a mating bite.”

Alex frowns, clearly bothered by something I said. “But . . . you don’t even know me.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does.” She shakes her head. “You wouldn’t want me if you knew me.”

“You don’t understand.” I touch my chest, trying to find the right words. “You’re a part of me, Alex. Whether you accept the mating bond or not, you will always be a part of me. There’s literally nothing you could ever do to sever the bond between us.”

Alex’s brows knit together, and I know that her rational human mind can’t comprehend that kind of unconditional love. Hell, I didn’t understand it before Alex walked into my life. But now I know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for this woman — nothing I wouldn’t do to make her mine.

Throwing caution to the wind, I lean closer, breathing in her chocolate and caramel scent. “I’m one of the richest men in the world, Alex. I own four houses and my own private island. I can get any car I want — toys that haven’t even hit the market yet. I can get endangered species prepared by the best chefs on the planet. I can have anything I want — anything in the world. But all I want is you.”

Alex just stares at me. I’m sure she would run if I didn’t have her boxed in.

But then she surprises me by rising up on tiptoe and pressing her soft lips against mine. I’m so taken aback that for a moment, I freeze, letting her kiss me senseless.

She tastes so good that all I want to do is lock myself in my room with this woman and spend the next week making love to her. My hands cup her cold cheeks, pulling her closer. Alex’s arm winds around my neck until we’re pressed together, flesh to flesh.

Hoisting my beautiful mate into my arms, I yank the door open and carry her inside. The warm air licks my skin, making it tingle all over. A few embers are still smoldering in the grate, casting a warm glow over the room.

I lay Alex on the bed with utmost care, kissing her slowly and tenderly. After our frenzied lovemaking in the kitchen, I need a chance to savor her.

I kiss a trail from her temple to her collarbone, pausing at the tender spot along her neck as I make my way south. Running the tip of my nose over the swell of her breast, I inhale her sweet feminine scent and the tang of arousal coating my airways.

I lick a slow circle around her delicate pink nipple, delighting in the way Alex responds to my touch. My hands follow the path my mouth takes, tweaking that little bud until she trembles.

I continue to lick and kiss my way down her belly, finally reaching the apex of her thighs. Alex is completely bare down there, giving me unfettered access to her silky folds.

Her inner thighs are already sticky with arousal, and when I spread her out on the bed, a fresh bead of cream drips out of her. I part her lips to lap up her nectar, and Alex sighs into the pillows.

Slowly, I slip two fingers inside her and gently stroke her inner walls. Her pussy squeezes my fingers when I hit her sweet spot, and I press a kiss to the swollen nub between her folds as I continue to tease and caress her.

Alex’s moans grow louder as I work my tongue under the hood of her clit. My fingers are coated in her juices, and my cock is a hard bar between my legs.

My mate is close.

“Rafael . . .”

“Not yet, kitten,” I murmur, raising my head just enough to meet her needy gaze. “I want you to come all over my cock.”

---